Military Subculture Essay

Culture can be defined as “all that human beings learn to do, to use, to produce, to know, and to believe as they grow to maturity and live out their lives in the social groups to which they belong” (Tischler, 2013, p. 50). Every human society has its own unique culture. Each social group in these societies has its own distinct culture. This unique culture within a social group is known as a subculture. Subculture can be defined as “the distinctive lifestyles, values, norms, and beliefs of certain segments of the population within a society” (Tischler, 2013, p. 50). The military is a type of subculture. The military culture can be defined as a group of individuals who are unified by their primary mission to provide external defense, security,

Many of the military trainees are very different from each other. “Many classes include both men and women, representing a range of ethnicities, countries, and religions” (Farnell, 2016). During basic training, the military attempts to erase all these aspects of individuality. These men and women go through situations where they must rely on their team members. They learn how to work together. First, they are given uniforms and similar haircuts. They learn about the system within their branch. They become the ultimate team. “Ultimately, by suppressing their individuality, soldiers gain member- ship in something much ‘larger than themselves’ and will then be prepared for present and future battles by utilizing their newly learned skills from training efficiently and effectively” (Drozd, 2022, p. 2). They are taught about the values that the military upholds, and soon the trainees start believing in these values too. “Among military members, values that are prioritized include: being honorable, courageous, acting with integrity, and unwavering ‘selfless service’ (Coll et al., 2011)” (Ferrell et al.,

They believe in treating others with dignity and respect while expecting others to do the same. They believe in standing up for what’s right. They believe in facing moral fear or adversity, while acting on things that they know are honorable. (Purpose & Legacy, 2022). The military culture is fiercely loyal, not only to the United States but to their fellow comrades. Everyone who joins the military must swear to the Oath of Enlistment. The basic beliefs of the military are embedded in this oath. The Oath of Enlistment states “I, (name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God” (Enlisting in the military, 2023). Many military members fully believe in the oath and use it to guide them in their future service. “…the oath is a major part of who we are in the military. It forms the bedrock of what we stand for and are willing to fight for” (Romeo,